Conflict laws lead councillor to ‘dob’

FOR the first time a Gold Coast City councillor has dobbed in another under new conflict of interest laws.

But the council decided there was no conflict and went ahead with a vote on an applciation for a new phone tower.

The legislation, introduced by the State Government last month, spurred a number of declarations during the meeting on Tuesday as councillors tried to come to terms with specifics.

The laws require coun- cillors to provide details about donations, potential conflicts of interest, and to dob in colleagues if they think there is a conflict based on what is recorded in their register of interests or if they suspect hidden information.

During a vote on development of a Vodafone telephone tower in Baratta St, Southport, Division 11 councillor Hermann Vorster said he believed there might be a conflict of interest for another councillor, who held shares in Telstra.

“I am hesitant to do this, but I feel as though under the new laws I needed to draw the meeting’s attention to the fact a councillor has shareholdings in a rival communications firm,” Cr Vorster said. “I am unclear as to whether that may constitute a conflict or not. This is untested.”

A conflict of interest is defined under legislation as an interest “that might lead to a decision that is contrary to the public interest”.

Cr Vorster was asked to name the councillor.

“Again, for the public record I feel as though I am compelled to do this, to honour my commitments under the legislation,” Cr Vorster said.

“It is my understanding and belief that Councillor Owen-Jones may have shares in Telstra.”

Cr William Owen-Jones confirmed he had shares in Telstra, which had been published on his register of interests.

Cr Gary Baildon then stood and informed the council his superannuation fund had shares in Telstra.

Cr Owen-Jones did not think there was an issue.

“My understanding is we have dealt with this previously through advice we had received from the city solicitor in regards to minor shareholdings,” he said. “I see no change in the legislation which was recently produced that would make it any different, so I have no intention of declaring a perceived conflict of interest as I hold shares in Telstra. I can confirm it is not a controlling interest,” he said.

No conflict of interest was believed to have occurred. The council then voted in support of the material change on the tower development application.

Cr Owen-Jones said Cr Vorster would have been better off discussing his concerns before the meeting.